American Exports: Howard, Everton fight back for point

AMSTERDAM – It was a rough Saturday for Americans playing in Europe, with Tim Howard's Everton fighting back twice for a 2-2 draw away to nearby rivals Wigan in the result of the day.

The US netminder notched just one save, a fine tip-around on Franco Di Santo's curler near the half hour. Thanks to a Leighton Baines spot kick near time, the third place Toffees extended their EPL unbeaten streak to four games.

A league below in the Championship, Jonathan Spector pulled double duty in Birmingham City's 1-0 home defeat to Huddersfield Town.

The American set up a great first half chance that Nathan Redmond fired off the post from his starting position of central midfield, but switched to right back as injury cover on 62 minutes. The scuffling Brums dropped to 21st place with the loss.

Zak Whitbread stepped in for injured Leicester City skipper Sean St. Ledger in the 62nd minute of a 2-0 victory over visiting Bristol City. The red-hot Foxes have won five straight to climb to within a point of the summit through 10 rounds.

Turning to the Bundesliga, Fabian Johnson and Daniel Williams each took part in one goal breakdown as Hoffenheim fell 2-0 at table toppers Bayern Munich.

A lost midfield challenge by Williams precipitated Franck Ribéry's opener before the break, and Johnson conceded the cross on the France star's second after it. Shortly thereafter, Williams drew his fifth yellow card of the season, earning a one-game suspension.

Timothy Chandler had a hard day at the office as FC Nürnberg dropped a 3-0 home result to Freiburg. After being denied on a pair of scoring chances earlier in the game, the right back set up the visitors' 90th minute penalty kick second with an area foul.

North of the border in Denmark, Conor O'Brien went the distance as SønderjyskE suffered a 3-0 loss to visiting AGF Aarhus. The midfielder nearly got his side on the board late with a spectacular solo run, only to have his shot cleared off the line by a defender.

Over in Spain's Segunda División, Carlos Bocanegra and Racing Santander saw a five-game unbeaten run snapped in a 1-0 defeat at Real Murcia.